KILN Gallery

Another Big Month Ahead at KiLN!

2009-10-18T17:23:00.000-07:00

The work of Japanese born, and now Brisbane-based artist, Ai Shah, is a well kept secret set to be unveiled at KiLN Gallery in November.

From her Highgate Hill studio, Ai develops her beautifully atmospheric photo-realist works, applying her incredible talent to the vistas of Maleny, Lismore, Elanda Point and many more.

Ai combines an Eastern aesthetic with a fascination for the Australian landscape to create her detailed works.

“It’s quite astonishing that having lived in Australia for only 12 months, Ai is able to capture the depth and detail of this landscape. She also grasps the expanse and character of the Australian landscape, and is able to depict the beautiful melancholy of this place” observes curator Tom Francis.

“My interest in landscapes comes from the feeling of building an intimate relationship with nature and society through painting. I especially enjoy the particular moment in the process of each painting when the brush becomes an instrument for breathing life into the canvas. In this series of Australian landscapes, I have been particularly struck by the way light affects the mood of each scene” explains Ai.

KiLN prides itself on showing a number of clearly talented young emerging artists each year, and is thrilled to be present Ai’s first solo exhibition, revealing her incredible talent to Brisbane audiences.

2009-10-18T17:19:00.000-07:00

Visitors to KiLN Gallery next month will see the latest work from Queensland shoemakers Jackie Orme Ward and Adrian Lockwood of Pendragon, who have been catapulted onto the international fashion scene recently in a photo shoot for Italian Vogue.

With their specially designed Pendragon boots afoot models wearing Prada, John Galliano and Vivienne Westwood, these ‘aussie cobblers’ are now part of an elite fraternity whose product has been shot by international celebrity and high fashion photographer Steven Meisel.

'We were stunned when [New York stylist] Karl Templar’s assistant rang us and asked us for boots for Italian Vogue,' Jackie said.

They had stumbled upon Pendragon’s website while searching for very special footwear to pair with the couture pieces already sourced for the shoot.

'Initially we thought it was a hoax’, says Jackie, ‘but we soon realised it was a great opportunity for us to be part of something extraordinary.'

Within the space of a week, the talented duo designed and created nine pairs of men’s and women’s boots for the iconic Oliver Twist shoot, which highlights the boots in dramatic and playful poses.

‘We had very little sleep and worked like we were in a pressure cooker’, says Jackie, ‘We were still putting shoe laces in boots and nailing heels on while waiting for the international courier!’.

Brisbane audiences will be the first to view Pendragon's new range, To Have and To Hold, from 6-29 November at KiLN Gallery.

The collection was inspired by an old parchment covered in ink calligraphy from the 1770’s. They have printed these scripts on the linings, soles and heels of boots and shoes that also feature velvets, braids, tapestries, playing cards and even a lion’s head handle sourced from an antique clock at a local dump.

To Have and To Hold opens at KiLN Gallery Friday 6 November and continues until Sunday 29 November, alongside the work of painter Ai Shah.

Check out Pendragon's new website: www.pendragonshoes.com

The beetles are crawling away, the flowers closing their sleepy heads and the fish are swimming to deeper waters!

2009-09-26T19:46:00.000-07:00

fishFLOWERbeetle, KiLN gallery's very successful September exhibition is closing today. Sarah Mitchell's exceptional works have drawn crowds of art lovers seeking a look at her carefully crafted, handcoloured lino cuts and they have been very impressed with what they've seen.

We now welcome the 2009 BARI festival, and are excited to have works by some of Brisbane's most talented emerging artists in the gallery. Opening on the 10th of October this exhibition will be featured in the gallery right through until the end of October.

Jamie Congdon, 2009.

On the 11th of October KiLN is proud to host the KiLN Classics concert again featuring exquisite string music by the Brisbane Chamber Collective. Also, we are very proud to have highly regarded curator Alison Kubler speaking at this event, discussing the climate for emerging artists in Brisbane, and the growth of the arts scene in Brisbane. For tickets to this concert and speaking event please call KiLN on 3876 6903 http://www.kiln.com.au/.

NEWS: The BARI Festival, KiLN Classics and fishFLOWERbeetle

2009-09-10T18:54:00.000-07:00

A sneak preview of Pirate Tea Set
by Ky Curran in collaboration with her children Bunya and Sisi

The BARI (Brisbane Artist Run Initiatives) Festival opens at KiLN on Saturday 10 October. This exhibition will feature photography, painting and sculpture by up-and-comers Josh Rufford, Ky Curran with Bunya and Sisi, Carly Kotynski, Tammy Law and more to be annouced! See the programme below and visit http://barifest.blogspot.com/ for more info about what the participating spaces have on offer.10-2pm Saturday 10 October Jewellery workshop with Madeleine Brown

Make a silver ring or pendant 10am-2pm $50 (all materials INC)
5-8pm Saturday 10 October KiLN Exhibition opening FREE

Tickets are already selling fast for KiLN Classics 5-7pm Sunday 11 October. The Brisbane Chamber Collective will inspire us with another exquisite strings performance. See the programme below for details. Tickets are $25. To purchase your ticket, phone us on 3876 6903, or email info@kiln.com.au.

Antonín Dvorák - Terzetto Op. 74 for 2 Violins and Viola,
Béla Bartók - Hungarian Folk Melodies for Violin and Cello,
Hugo Wolf - Italian Serenade
Frank Bridge - Sally in Our Alley for String Quartet

Performed by :
Nicole McMahon, violin
Emily Clark, violin
Tuuli Rantanen, viola
Nick Jensen, cello

Sarah Mitchell's divinely dark and whimisical exhibition, fishFLOWERbeetle has been extended until Sunday 27 September, so if you haven't yet seen the show, be sure to pop by before then!

Coming up at KiLN

2009-08-17T19:02:00.001-07:00

Note correct dates for KiLN Classics:
5-7pm Sunday 30 August
not 2 August as stated in the invite!

Sarah Mitchell's fishFLOWERbeetle - a preview

2009-08-17T05:59:00.000-07:00

When the Flower Beetles Flowered II

The Carbon Neutral Tulip

Cooloolo's Patterned Fish

Phil Brown's Rave Review of The Illustrators

2009-08-17T05:07:00.001-07:00

We were very proud to be featured in the latest issue of Brisbane News, with a fantastic review of The Illustrators exhibition by Phil Brown. Click on the image above to zoom in and read the review! (Brisbane News, August 12-18, page 29)

Spend the weekend at KiLN!

2009-07-30T06:08:00.001-07:00

Marilyn, acrylic on paper by Brett Lethbridge

Join us for the opening of our latest exhibition The Illustrators, 5-8pm this Friday 31 July! See close to 40 works by 8 of Australia's most talented professional and up and coming illustrators. Preview the exhibition online.

There are still a handful of seats available for this month's KiLN Classics brass quartet performance featuring the Brisbane Chamber Collective, so if you were wondering about how to spend your Sunday evening ... wonder no more! Children's book illustrator, Lucia Masciullo (whose work will be on display as part of The Illustrators exhibition) will be the speaker for this month's event.
Read on for more information or visit www.kiln.com.au and phone 3876 6903 to book your seat!

Pigs II, acrylic on paper by Lucia Masciullo

Jan Jorgensen's Changing Places - a wonderful success!

2009-07-30T05:25:00.001-07:00

A big congratulations to Jan Jorgensen for the overwhelming success of her latest solo exhibition, Changing Places - Brisbane, which closed last weekend at KiLN.

A dozen thrilled collectors are now the proud new owners of a gorgeous, jewelly Jan Jorgensen original, and several more eagerly await the arrival of their specially commissioned piece of Brisbane, hot off the easel in the coming weeks.

Jan heads off shortly on a well deserved European holiday - thank you Jan and bon voyage!

Tom, Danielle and Oskar bask in Jan's reflected glory on opening night Saturday 4 July 2009.

KiLN Classics goes brassy!

2009-07-18T21:39:00.000-07:00

The August KiLN Classics event will feature a selection of brass quintet works performed by members of the Brisbane Chamber Collective, with an artist talk and complimentary wine and cheese on arrival.

Tickets for this event are $25 (middle floor) and $20 (lower floor). As usual, seats are limited and tickets will NOT be sold at the door! To reserve and prepay for your ticket, or for further details contact KiLN Gallery on 3876 6903 or email info@kiln.com.au.

Programme details are as follows:

Fanfare from "La Peri" - Paul Dukas

Salvation is Created - Paul Tschesnokov

Rondo - Franz Joseph Haydn

Grainger Suite - Percy Grainger

Little Prelude in G minor - J.S. Bach

Quintet No. 1 - Victor Ewald

The Earle of Oxford's Marche - WM Byrd

The Girl with the Flaxen Hair - Claude Debussy

From two to sixteen players, the collective can form any combination to suit the music, venue and audience. The group formed out of the need to perform wonderful music and the need of Brisbane audiences to have the opportunity to hear it.

Sneak preview - The Illustrators

2009-07-09T22:24:00.001-07:00

Above is a little senak preview of our next exhibition 'The Illustrators', in order the above works are by Courtney Brims, Jim Tsinganos and Nigel Buchanan. Beautiful, diverse works!

Jan is back with another classic collection

2009-06-25T21:53:00.000-07:00

Jan Jorgensen's new exhibition 'Changing Places - Brisbane' opens next Saturday 4th July at KiLN Gallery. As usual Jan's work reflects on Brisbane and it's transformation. The exhibition opens from 5pm on Saturday please join us for this special event, all welcome.

Then on Sunday KiLN Classics is on again with the Brisbane Chamber Collective playing at 5pm, and Jan will give an artist talk. Seats for KiLN Classics are limited so book quickly, call KiLN 3876 6903.

Beautiful new Bloomery stockist

2009-06-20T21:30:00.000-07:00

For those of you who are unaware, as well as showing divine art KiLN has a little gift store 'The Bloomery' in which we stock gorgeous handmade fare. It is a little treasure trove of beautiful jewels, ceramics, pictures, cards and other little trinkets.

We have just started stocking works by the lovely Michelle Freer who makes stunning and intricate handmade jewellery as well as a range of gorgeous cards and notepaper under her label Lily&Cino. Come in and have a look to see the full range of her gorgeous-ness.

Images by artist.

KiLN Classics Inaugural concert 7 June

2009-06-13T19:16:00.000-07:00

Photos courtesy of Mark Bahnisch, 2009

PGP 'Anthology' exhibition opening

2009-06-06T21:52:00.000-07:00

KiLN Classics - beautiful music in a unique setting

2009-05-29T17:27:00.000-07:00

Outlined in previous posts is KiLN's commitment to expanding the cultural opportunities available in Brisbane. Our new program KiLN Classics is a testimony to this, as we open up classical string music to audiences who otherwise may not engage with this style of music. The Brisbane Chamber Collective is coming to perform in our space on the first Sunday of each month, starting from the 7th of July.

Tickets to the event are really reasonably priced at $25 and this price includes drinks and nibbles. We will also have an artist talk before the performance about the exhibition that is in the gallery at the time. We hope that younger audiences will now come and see classical music in a less threatening environment than the big state venues, and also that those who don't have the pennies to spend $60-$70 on a concert ticket can afford a $25 ticket to come along to the KiLN Classics series.

Please give us a ring on 3876 6903 to reserve your ticket, or email us on info@kiln.com.au .

Making creative places

2009-05-23T20:05:00.001-07:00

An extension of my work here as a curator and gallery assistant at KILN is my acute interest in the culture of cities, and how this is created. This interest has led me to do some work with the group Brisculture who are presenting an event next Tuesday (26 May) as part of the 2009 Citysmart Innovation Festival. The discussion at this event will centre around the idea of how creative cities develop and how we can support their growth and development.

This is of great interest to KILN as through our showcasing of fine art, fine craft and now music (update soon!) we hope to enhance the cultural wealth of Brisbane and support the creative growth of this city by offering opportunities for artists to show their work and art lovers to view this work.

For more information about this event check out www.brisculture.com.au

Warmest,

Cate

Sneak preview of our next exhibition 'Anthology'

2009-05-16T22:51:00.000-07:00

Blanche-Southwell-Valance opening event photos

2009-05-09T21:03:00.001-07:00

Works on Paper and Drawing exhibition opening event

2009-04-23T18:58:00.000-07:00

On Friday the 3rd of April our latest exhibition opened. It was a lovely evening and has been a hugely popular exhibition. We recently extended this exhibition until the 3rd of May so if you haven't been in to see the April show do pop into KILN before the 3rd of May.

Works on Paper and Drawing exhibition photos

2009-04-23T18:46:00.001-07:00

KILN - Works on Paper and Drawing Exhibition - April, 2009

2009-04-04T19:07:00.000-07:00

In the last few years there has been a movement back towards drawing in popular culture. Always the poor cousin in the art world, drawing is often seen as ‘doodling’ or the outline/ sketch before a great artwork is created.

Yet in reality drawing requires great skill and technique, patience and attention to detail.
Lots of popular culture magazines including Frankie, Yen, and Vogue are recognising the art of drawing and are opting to use illustration and drawing as an alternative to photographs in the magazine context.

I understand that Frankie Magazine began using illustration within this context because they couldn’t afford the high cost of photo shoots with the celebrities they were featuring in the publication. Therefore they opted instead to pay an artist to render perfect illustrative representations of celebrities, an extremely effective technique that helped this magazine stand out from the crowd. The drawings of celebrities including Rose Byrne, Jake Gyllenhall and Scarlet Johannsen are far more interesting than yet another glamour photo shoot, and they are so perfectly captured by the artist’s hand.

Curvy magazine is a publication entirely dedicated to showing illustrative works by women and it reveals some immense artistic talent.

Despite this recognition in popular culture it seems that the majority of the art world is ignoring this trend and still relegates drawing to the back of the class. ‘Works on Paper’ exhibitions are part of many gallery programs but they tend to be filler shows rather than explorations drawing as a genre of art work.

This exhibition though reveals works on paper and drawings in a new light and includes a variety of styles but there is a synergy between the works because they are based around that most classical of artistic abilities, the skill of rendering an image.

The works are not all classical in style. Jordan Hart has used the ancient Chinese folk-art practice of paper cutting to create his ‘drawings’. Cutting out bits of the page to gently, carefully and slowly create a picture and in the process he subverts the drawing genre to include this paper cut style.
Laura Skerlj’s works appear from a distance to be epic paintings, but are in fact the works of pastels on a dark canvas. Striking and multilayered, she has drawn three animals for this exhibition – a wolf, a deer and a man. Each character appears vulnerable with their eyes hollow and their sparse faces so affecting as you search them for meaning.
Danielle O’Brien’s works reflect a more classical style of works on paper, but always with her unique characterisation. ‘Butterflies’ is a generous, engaging piece with the lines of the figure’s body drawing the viewer in to look more closely at her closed face, curved breasts, soft stomach and voluptuous hips. There is something so comforting, so womanly and gentle about this image.

The pair of ‘Jail Bird’ works reflects O’Brien’s ever engaging connection with the animal world. These small animals are rendered so fragile in these layered images. An ibis, that most despised of scavenger birds becomes the subject of empathy as we stare into his eye and see his beak bound and the sense of humanity reveals itself as we desire to rescue this creature.

All of the works in this exhibition are stand-out on their own but somehow click as a body of work. From the storybook pictures of Lucia Mascuillo, to the cartoonish panda bears by Shaun Campbell, the whimsical, impish fleur de lys by Natalie Perkins, to the textured figures of Nic Plowman and the disconcerting, Carmen Miranda-esque ladies of Yuki Nakano. This is a layered and expansive exhibition utilising a simple artistic style.

KILN Gallery, Brisbane

2009-03-30T02:32:00.000-07:00

KILN Gallery is an exquisite contemporary art space, based in the Old Substation in Paddington, Brisbane, which exhibits unique and interesting works by local and national artists. We have launched this new blog to regularly update the details of what is happening at KILN.

It's an exciting time at KILN, with our new exhibition of Works on Paper and Drawing opening this Friday (3 April), with works by Nic Plowman, Natalie Perkins, Shaun Campbell, Danielle O'Brien, Yuki Nakano, Lucia Masciullo, Jordan Hart and Laura Skerlj. The opening is from 6-8pm on Friday if you would like to come along.